(North to South)
Be considerate of animals & keep to the track; leave gates as you find them; no dogs, horses, guns, bikes or vehicles.
If walking this track in isolation/day-walking, please note that at the eastern end of the track parking is in short supply - the ONLY places to park are in a small lay-by at the Govan Wilson Rd intersection and a small bus-stop lay-by further south.
Please DO NOT park in any driveways.
From the Pakiri Beach access (adjacent to the Camp Ground), follow Pakiri River Rd for 3km to the intersection with Pakiri Rd. Cross over and continue south on Bathgate Rd, past the school and several houses.
Beyond the southern end of Bathgate Rd, go down what looks like a driveway to the Te Araroa sign. Follow the orange track markers leading up a ridgeline through steep farm pasture for 2.5km to a farm track near the end of Rodney Rd. This climb offers fantastic views up the coast.
The track turns west through more farmland and down/up a steep and muddy saddle (do take care when wet) before climbing through pine plantation into covenanted/DOC native bush. At the summit, there is a helicopter platform which makes a good spot to rest a while.
Continuing on, this rough & occasionally slippery track soon descends steeply down before climbing again and walking beneath a weather satellite station. From there another rocky/slippery descent before the track levels out through regenerating bush.
A "grassy knoll" affords some views (between the gorse) to the coast before continuing west on a well-formed track. That track leaves the ridge, crosses a stile and descends 200m to another stile before a narrow and slippery track takes walkers down, across a footbridge and to a short boardwalk across a swamp before another narrow, steep and slippery climb to Matakana Valley Rd.
Head S on Matakana Valley Rd for 450m to the junction with Govan Wilson Rd. If in need of re-supply, Matakana is 6km south down Matakana Valley Road.
- Poisons & traps
- Farming operations
- The track is steep and slippery in parts - good footwear and walking poles recommended.
(North to South)
Be considerate of animals & keep to the track; leave gates as you find them; no dogs, horses, guns, bikes or vehicles.
If walking this track in isolation/day-walking, please note that at the eastern end of the track parking is in short supply - the ONLY places to park are in a small lay-by at the Govan Wilson Rd intersection and a small bus-stop lay-by further south.
Please DO NOT park in any driveways.
From the Pakiri Beach access (adjacent to the Camp Ground), follow Pakiri River Rd for 3km to the intersection with Pakiri Rd. Cross over and continue south on Bathgate Rd, past the school and several houses.
Beyond the southern end of Bathgate Rd, go down what looks like a driveway to the Te Araroa sign. Follow the orange track markers leading up a ridgeline through steep farm pasture for 2.5km to a farm track near the end of Rodney Rd. This climb offers fantastic views up the coast.
The track turns west through more farmland and down/up a steep and muddy saddle (do take care when wet) before climbing through pine plantation into covenanted/DOC native bush. At the summit, there is a helicopter platform which makes a good spot to rest a while.
Continuing on, this rough & occasionally slippery track soon descends steeply down before climbing again and walking beneath a weather satellite station. From there another rocky/slippery descent before the track levels out through regenerating bush.
A "grassy knoll" affords some views (between the gorse) to the coast before continuing west on a well-formed track. That track leaves the ridge, crosses a stile and descends 200m to another stile before a narrow and slippery track takes walkers down, across a footbridge and to a short boardwalk across a swamp before another narrow, steep and slippery climb to Matakana Valley Rd.
Head S on Matakana Valley Rd for 450m to the junction with Govan Wilson Rd. If in need of re-supply, Matakana is 6km south down Matakana Valley Road.
Matakana
Getting there/away
Long haul bus services to stop 9km away at Warkworth, nearest town on SH1.
InterCity - P: 09 583 5780 - E: info@intercity.co.nz
Northliner Express Coach Service - Paihia - Auckland - Wellington - P: 09 438 3206 - www.northliner.co.nz
Naked Bus - P: 0900 62533 (calls cost)
Local transport/Transport to Trailhead
Matakabs - P: 09 422 2244 or 0800 522 743 - E: bookings@matakabs.co.nz
Warkworth taxis - 54 Burtram St, Warkworth - P: 09 425 0000
Accommodation
Andros B & B - 1 Courtney Lane, Matakana - P: 09 422 9903 or 027 291 2744 - E: androsbnb@yahoo.co.nz
Hesselwood (SC, B & B) - P: 09 422 9344 - E: hesselwood@slingshot.co.nz
Matakana Village Cottages (SC, B & B ) - 202 Matakana Valley Rd - P: 09 422 9337 or 021 189 4242 - E: cottage@xnet.co.nz
Matakana Outback - 844 Matakana Valley Rd (just downhill/north of where the route exits onto the road) - P: 09 4229514 or 021 558514 - E: matakanaoutback@gmail.com - a lovely cottage with kingsize bed, spa and laundry facilities (10% discount when you mention the Te Araroa website), camping also available $25 with outdoors shower. Meals/snacks on request.
Glamping Opportunity - Great house with an amazing view located at 732 Matakana Valley Rd - so just down from the end of the trail. The owners are happy to offer a 10% discount to those who are doing the Te Araroa walk, just mention this when you book!
Resupply
- Keep to the track
- Respect private land
- Leave gates as you find them
- No litter
- No dogs
- No horses
- No firearms
- No vehicles
- No bikes
- No taking plants
- No camping
- No fires
- Take all rubbish with you
- Kiwis - no dogs allowed
- Wildlife Sanctuary - Avoid dune nesting sites; no dogs allowed
(Start)
- Car park
- Toilets
- Shop
- Phone
- Serviced Campsite
- Accommodation Pakiri Beach Holiday Park
(On Route)
- Carpark Rodney Rd
(End)
- Full range of amenities in Matakana Village, 6km south
- Carpark at intersection of Matakana Valley and Govan Wilson Rds only
